A transponder having a subsystem for providing an altitude alert function signifying a deviation from a set altitude is described. The subsystem includes an input for receiving an altitude deviation limit associated with the set altitude, a CPU receiving updated altitude and determining a difference between the updated altitude and the set altitude associated with the altitude deviation limit, and a transponder subsystem output device for providing the difference between the updated altitude and the set altitude to a user.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. In a transponder, a subsystem for providing an altitude alert function signifying a deviation from a set altitude, said subsystem comprising: an input for receiving an altitude deviation limit associated with the set altitude; a CPU receiving updated altitude and determining a difference between the updated altitude and the set altitude associated with the altitude deviation limit, wherein said CPU receives maximum and minimum alert operation values defining a range over which said subsystem is active, said CPU deactivating the altitude alert function when the updated altitude exceeds the maximum alert operation value plus the altitude deviation limit and when the updated altitude is less than the minimum alert operation value minus the altitude deviation limit; and a transponder subsystem output for providing the difference between the updated altitude and the set altitude to a user.
2. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said input comprises at least one input to said CPU and a keyboard interfaced to said CPU.
3. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said difference represents an altitude deviation value and said transponder subsystem output comprises a display configured to display at least one of the altitude deviation value and a direction associated with the altitude deviation value.
4. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said difference constitutes an altitude deviation value and wherein said transponder subsystem output includes a display displaying a static altitude deviation value when the updated altitude is within the altitude deviation limit from the set altitude by a predetermined margin value.
5. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said transponder subsystem output comprises an external altitude alert annunciator, said CPU directing said annunciator to flash when the updated altitude is outside an altitude window defined by the set altitude plus or minus the altitude deviation limit.
6. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said transponder subsystem output comprises an audio alert, said CPU directing said audio alert to output a tone and a voice message when the updated altitude exceeds the set altitude plus the altitude deviation limit or falls below the set altitude minus the altitude deviation limit.
7. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said transponder subsystem output comprises a stored audio volume value.
8. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 further comprising an input to receive outside temperature data, said CPU calculating a density altitude based at least partially on said received temperature data, said transponder subsystem output displaying outside air temperature and the density altitude.
9. A transponder subsystem according to claim 1 wherein said CPU determines a density altitude value based upon at least one of: a density altitude; a static air temperature and pressure altitude; and a set of total air temperature, indicated airspeed, and pressure altitude.
10. A method for providing an altitude alert function in a transponder, the altitude alert function signifying a deviation from a set altitude, said method comprising: receiving a current pressure altitude at the transponder; configuring the transponder with an altitude deviation limit, the limit being associated with the current pressure altitude; receiving an updated pressure altitude at the transponder; determining a difference between the updated pressure altitude and the altitude associated with the altitude deviation limit; providing a transponder subsystem output, representing the difference, as a deviation in altitude to a user; configuring the transponder with minimum and maximum alert operation values; and de-activating the altitude alert function when the updated pressure altitude is below the minimum alert operation value minus the altitude deviation limit and when the updated pressure altitude is above the maximum alert operation value plus the altitude deviation limit.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the providing step comprises displaying on the transponder at least one of a deviation value and a direction associated with the deviation value based on the difference.
12. A method according to claim 10 further comprising returning the display to a static display of at least one of the deviation value and the direction associated with the deviation value once the updated pressure altitude is within a pre-configured amount of the altitude deviation limit.
13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said transponder subsystem output includes at least one of an audio alert and a visual alert when the difference between the updated pressure altitude and the altitude associated with the altitude deviation limit is greater than the altitude deviation limit.
14. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the transponder subsystem output includes an audio alert having at least one of an audio tone and a voice message.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 3, 2003
March 8, 2005
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